Sept 2024 All-topic thread
Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,076
Likes: 245
From: Fresno, CA.
Living in an apartment, I don't worry about a bad water heater, or garbage disposal or whatnot. And my truck is so high I can barely reach the engine. LOL Which is why the tools I bought are hardly used. However, if I had no tools here I would feel naked. So I own them just in case I need them for a repair that I can actually do. Even without the disability there is still quite a bit I would not be able to do, but it is nice to save money on the repairs I can do.
Jim
Jim
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 128
From: Shasta County, CA
A couple things that I’ve learned are to warm the filling separately and that High is not the only setting on a stove. 🤣
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,873
Likes: 357
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
I am not a mechanic. My cars are running. Just getting something I always wanted. Which I literally waited decades to buy. I do know that the first job I do, will pay for them. If I change my thermostat, an easy job, it will save maybe an hour or two on mechanic labor. I've paid for all my tools that way. One oil change and you have paid for the wrench, jack, and so on. The truth is that I am a tool junkie. I own things like a pole saw. Why pay hundreds for tree trimming, when I can buy a saw? Why pay hundreds to change a hot water heater, or stove, when I can do it with a few wrenches that only cost a few dollars? I did buy a sewer jet for about a hundred, to save a few thousand on hiring a plumber . My neighbor paid $2,400 for a plumber to run a sewer jet . I'm not doing engines and transmissions. Just very simple jobs. The problem is accumulating a pile of tools, that aren't being used every day.
Our water heater died Thursday. I checked it and the pilot would not light. Went to HD and they connected me with a local service company, who came out and replaced it. They did a bang-up job; replaced the copper flex lines with stainless, replaced all the ball valves, the gas valve, moved the sediment trap to comply with new code requirements, installed an expansion tank (also a newer code requirement), and wrapped all the pipes in insulation. The job took 4 hours from a skilled technician, plus (I'm guessing) about 3 hours travel time. Total came to $4,350. Now THAT'S a spicy meatball. The heater itself was about $600-800.
We had hot water again by noon Friday.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,884
Likes: 180
From: Morgan Hill, CA
Dang. I put a new electric water heater in my ADU last weekend. I may be a slum-lord, but I at least have to provide hot water for the $1600/mo I demand.
The heater was about $500 and the new hoses, fittings, and a new water filter was about $150. Electrics are sooo much easier to replace. It took less than an hour.
The heater was about $500 and the new hoses, fittings, and a new water filter was about $150. Electrics are sooo much easier to replace. It took less than an hour.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,865
Likes: 497
Wow! The guy did quite a bit of work. But still. Wow. That's a lot of money.
When I replaced my water heater, I installed new water and gas lines. Supposedly, you use new lines, so that you have new fittings, which will seal better. Nothing too complicated. Just a couple of cheap wrenches. Drained the old water heater. Disconnected the water and gas. Swap the old with the the new. Reverse the process. No permit. No code inspection. Everything worked just like before.
I forget what the water heater costs. It was just the common cheap floor model at Lowe's. And the connection kits hanging on the display next to the appliance area. I personally think that it's a scam to sell new water and gas lines with every appliance. But they are cheap enough that I do it.
The hardest part was setting the temperature. I don't want the hottest water, which scalds. Maybe other people do want that.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,865
Likes: 497
For me, the actual work was less than an hour. . Wrench off water and gas. Move old tank out. Move new tank in. Wrench on water and gas. Turn on.
If I had to pay someone, the labor wouldn't cost more than the water heater.
Another job where a few cheap wrenches saved a little money.
I am assuming that I did okay. None of the lines are leaking. My water is hot.
Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,076
Likes: 245
From: Fresno, CA.
At this apartment complex there is one water heater for 54 units. It is located in the building by the empty swimming pool. Needless to say, it takes forever to get hot water in my apartment unless some else had just used it.
Jim
Jim
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,873
Likes: 357
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
I fixed a (Santa Maria style) tri tip last night. I think it was one of the ones Safeway had on sale. That said, I used the BBQ, and seared it for 4 minutes, turned down the heat (~~ 350) and slow-cooked it on indirect heat for about 45 minutes. It was very flavorful, and I did not take pictures.
